Increasing concern over foreign terrorist fighters returning to South-east Asia has prompted Indonesia to enhance immigration cooperation with Asean member countries.

But regional cooperation must be preceded by significant internal improvement, particularly in regards to the integrity and capability of the country’s immigration apparatus.

Since coalition forces successfully pushed the so-called Islamic State (IS) to Mosul and launched Operation Conquest, leaders from various countries have expressed their concern over the potential consequences of fleeing IS foreign fighters.

Indonesia — a country where a small collection of IS fighters has its origins and where foreign fighters are often attracted to joining local resistances — must keep an eye on its border security.

… Satrio Dwicahyo is Research Associate at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University.